GET TO KNOW COACH MADELINE

Sweet Lid!

Hi there! My name is Madeline Bartley and I joined the Liquid Lifestyles team of coaches in June of 2016. I am originally from Forest Grove - a small town near Portland, Oregon - where I started swimming at a very young age. I swam competitively on the local swim team for 6 years before heading off to a small school in Missouri called Cottey College. After I moved back to Oregon, I realized that I loved helping people learn how to swim and feel comfortable in the water, so I decided to pursue coaching on a more professional level. I really enjoyed my time working at the local aquatic center as a swim lesson instructor, assistant Swim Club coach, and assistant High School coach.

When my husband and I decided to move across the country to Cleveland I was excited to be able to continue doing what I love doing most with Liquid Lifestyles. Liquid Lifestyles has such a great vision for teaching even the most novice of swimmers how to swim smarter and more efficiently. I am proud to work with all of the other coaches here who share that vision. Helping people learn how to swim or just improve their swimming and also develop a better relationship to the water is something I love doing; I am so blessed to have this as my job!

GET TO KNOW COACH LEA

ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES ME

FAVORITE STROKE

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

I have gone to Walt Disney World every year or every two/three years since I was 10 months old. Just call me a Disney Parks professional!

I don’t have tears (the 7th nerve in both my eyes were completely dead when I was born).

I’ve known every word of The Ohio State University’s alma mater and fight song since I was seven years old.

I am basically a human ESPN app (I have an extensive knowledge of all things sports).

Other than going to Disney, beach vacations are always my favorite. I’ve always loved water sports, surf shops and everything beach related. Plus, it gives me an excuse to skimboard and listen to Reggae.

favorite quote

“Winners are not people who never fail, they’re people who never quit.”

- Brooke Ence

Coffee + Family + Disney = Life

Night Running

McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion

Black Flag CrossFit

Skim Boarding, SC

Atlantis, Bahamas

Swim lessons circa 2003

Rushing the field after TTUN

Where it all began…

My journey began back in 2003 when I first started taking swim lessons from Leah Nyikes in her parents’ back yard pool. This was the start of one of the most influential athletic experiences of my life. As I continued to take swim lessons from Leah, her knowledge and confidence definitely rubbed off on me. I truly looked up to Leah for this reason.

A few years later…

I began swimming competitively from age eight to 16 at Lakewood Country Club. After I aged out of country club swim team I started teaching swim lessons at Bay Village Family Aquatic Center (BVFAC) from 2016-2018. I also coached swim team from 2016-2017 at BVFAC. While coaching it is such an amazing thing to watch swimmers gain confidence in their skills (especially when a “light-bulb” moment happens). Moments like these make me realize that I truly have a passion for coaching.

I graduated from The Ohio State University in December 2018 with a BA in Strategic Communications (Marketing/Even Planning) and Business Administration. I didn’t have a job lined up after graduation so my cousin Eric Maynard recommended I look into Liquid Lifestyles. I knew I wanted to continue to coach in some capacity so I applied to Liquid Lifestyles and the rest is history.

My hobbies include: CrossFit, swimming, attending Broadway musicals, sporting events, and concerts, continuing to build/learn skills on my drum set and trying different coffee shops no matter where I am in the world.

FAVORITE QUOTE

TRANSLATION: “The use of water is a right to all / Nature did not make the sun nor air to one person / Nor the slender waves of water; this common right I seek”

- Ovid; Metamorphoses, Book VI 349-51

OK, my turn!

My first kitty, Beauxba

Flying through the water

Girls having fun

Best Friends

Just hanging around

Yoga is for babies too!

My little sister and brother

"Bubble Cheeks!"

Swim sisters

My boyfriend Cory

Safety First

I began my swimming journey in the early 2000’s by taking swim lessons at my community pool, and in 2008, I joined my first competitive summer recreation swim team. From 2009 - 2013, I swam competitively for North Olmsted High School. During that time, I was also a swimming instructor for my local pool. I graduated from John Carroll University in May 2017 with a degree majored in Classical Languages and minored in Spanish.

After teaching from 2009-2016, I was lucky enough to be hired on as a coach for Liquid Lifestyles. Liquid Lifestyles’ lessons are unlike any lessons I have ever taught before. The program is absolutely amazing, and the children I coach quickly become proficient in their swimming skills. My expertise with Baby Bubbles 1 and 2, as well as Liquid Bubbles 1, 2, and 3 curricula makes it simple for me to see the importance of each skill. My classes are filled with fun and energy to encourage children to be comfortable and enjoy their time in the water!

My mission is to help children grow in confidence for both swimming and everyday life. I love encouraging swimmers to challenge themselves and believe in their own capabilities. The progression of an anxious beginner is one of my favorite things to witness. To see a child who might have spent the first two lessons crying come to the third lesson with a smile on his or her face and an eagerness to swim is thrilling!

If you are interested in lessons fully in Spanish, or lessons that incorporate learning Spanish, let me know! I love combining my passion for languages with my passion for coaching.

GET TO KNOW COACH MATT

It feels like just yesterday when I signed up for my first triathlon. I was confident I'd finish if I could just get out there and log some swimming hours. So there I was, day after day, in the nice calm, clear water of the pool. I swam 100 meters without stopping. Then 200 meters. Soon, I made it up to 800 meters and thought "now I'm ready for my first sprint triathlon." Problem was, I had not practiced in open water so as race day approached I decided to compete in the kayak division of the race. Everything went smoothly and I was hooked, but I had to figure out the swimming part. The very next day I found myself searching the internet for a solution. I found Liquid Lifestyles and booked my initial consultation. After a half a dozen private lessons in the pool and open water, I completed my first sprint triathlon. From that moment on I was addicted. Not only to triathlons, but to swimming as well. I continued to grow such a love for swimming that I found myself swimming twice a day. I would attend Liquid 'N Durance Lite on a Monday night, Liquid 'N Durance on Tuesday morning, and also attend a private lesson later that day. As my passion for swimming grew, so did my involvement with my son's swim team. It didn't take long to discover a deep desire to teach others and pursue coaching. I had the opportunity to work as an assistant coach for the Lake County YMCA West End Wildcats where I further developed a passion for coaching. I now hope to inspire Liquid Lifestyles clients the way I was inspired as a client.

In addition to coaching, I'm also a career firefighter/paramedic in the Cleveland area. When I'm not working, I enjoy multiple outdoor activities and continue to train regularly and compete in races. Swimming, triathlon, mountain biking, trail running, and whitewater kayaking are some of my favorites.

Whether you are looking to feel comfortable in and/or around the water, preparing for your very first triathlon, or you're an experienced athlete looking to fine tune your stroke before your next big race, I would love to help you archive your goals!

GET TO KNOW COACH MIKE

ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES ME

Methodical

FAVORITE STROKE

Freestyle

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

My wife and I were born 36 hours apart in the same hospital. We didn’t officially meet until we were sixteen. We married in 1992.

Before joining Liquid Lifestyles as a partner, I was a serial entrepreneur who failed miserably on my first attempt: an outdoor adventure and kayak retailer. From the ashes of that misadventure, I built a successful sports sales and marketing agency. After selling that company, I launched a sports nutrition e-commerce business, ran it for 8 years and sold it upon acquiring a sports nutrition manufacturer out of Canada.

My garage looks like a bike shop. I have six bikes: two road bikes, a time-trial bike, a cyclocross bike, a fat tire bike, and a tandem. My son has 4 bikes and my wife has 2. The optimum number of bikes to own is N+1 with “n” being the number of bikes you currently own. Next on my shopping list is a mountain bike.

I am an avid photographer and began my journey working in a camera store in college. I started with film based SLRs and transitioned to digital in 2001, eventually migrating to DSLRs. I own just about as many cameras, lenses and drones as I do bicycles. All of the artwork in our home is my photography and I took many of the images on Liquid Lifestyles’ website and social media.

I have ridden several self supported bike tours: Venice, Italy to Innsbruck, Austria (2001), Maryland to Tennessee along Skyline Drive & The Blue Ridge Parkway (2009) and rode around Lake Erie (2010). My son and I are planning on riding our Fat Bikes from Calgary to Denver along the Continental Divide Trail when he graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University in May 2019.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains”. - Steve Jobs

“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.” - Unknown

“Our attitude calibrates our reality” - Mike Cousino

“Never put a short term goal ahead of a long term goal.” - Mike Cousino

Lake Erie Sunrise Swim

Sea Otter Century, Monterey, CA

Fierce Competition

Gang Signs on Mount Rainier

Father & Son Ironman Finishers

My Partner in Crime

Ranked #1 Pizza in the World

I ❤ MY JOB!

Baja Bike Race/Tecate to Ensenada

Passo Falzarego, Italy

Balance-Length-Rotation-Timing

Fire Department Swim Training

When I did my first triathlon in 1991 I, like so many others, struggled to get through the swim. Back then my training plan was to just go to the pool and swim yards. The more the better and the harder the better, or so I thought. After several years of this strategy, I was experiencing a modest level of success relative to how I started. When I was introduced to Liquid Lifestyles through a triathlon swim group, circa 2004, I was hesitant. I reluctantly did the prescribed drills during practice and questioned the concepts and new focal points. I actually felt like I was going slower in the water until we started timing our sets. It was only then that I learned I was actually going faster with less effort! I was hooked. I trained with Liquid Lifestyles for a number of years with an entirely new mindset – one that was focused, critical and embraced the concepts that once seemed so counter-intuitive. My personal swimming experience has been incredibly rewarding since then and I’m excited to share the process of smart training and smart swimming with others. Since 2009 I’ve had the rewarding experience to assist at weekend workshops, open water clinics and offering private lessons to recreational swimmers, triathletes and beginners of all backgrounds and ability levels.

I have competed in over 70 triathlons (and counting) - everything from sprint distance to 140.6 full distance triathlons. Whether you are just getting started or stepping up to your first Half or Full Ironman I can help you reach your swimming goals and PR in any distance.

I shaved 15-20 seconds off my typical 100 yard time using “drive” and “flicking gum off my foot!” So awesome to be back in the pool with you! You always manage to put the pieces of the puzzle together in a manner that I can understand! Thank you!!

GET TO KNOW COACH VANJA

Vanja was born in Zagreb, Croatia. His love for swimming began from and early age of 3, but Vanja started swimming competitively at age 10. He became Croatian National Champion in 200m, 400m and 1500m both short course and long course for 11-12, 13-14 and 15&O age group. As a member of Croatian National Swim Team, Vanja competed at Youth Olympic Days, European Junior Championships, Mediterranean Games and many dual meets between Croatia and other European countries.

After arriving in US, as a High School swimmer, Vanja earned North Dakota state championship titles in 200 and 500 free and 200 medley relay as a butterfly leg. During college, Vanja was a National Team Member for Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) swim team and competed at NCAA Division II Nationals every year. He earned All-America Awards for 800 free relay as well as the individual All-America in 500 and 1650 yard free. in 2014 Vanja was inducted to Missouri S&T Sports Hall of Fame. Within all swimming accomplishments, Vanja earned his Doctorate in Mining Engineering and Geophysics and has worked in Earth Science field.

Vanja's coaching and teaching specialty are age group swimmers as well as adults . He loves teaching all strokes in the pool environments as well as open water swimming. All levels of swimmers are welcome, as Vanja enjoys teaching the art of swimming to all. His ultimate goal and favorite thing about coaching, is for people to enjoy the water and feel comfortable. Besides teaching swimming with Liquid Lifestyles Vanja isHead Coach for the CFYN Tigersharks Swim Team in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

Other than coaching, Vanja loves to spend time with his family, dogs and friends, hiking and traveling.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

I have completed three marathons and would choose to race another marathon over a 5k!

Elephants are my favorite animal!

I have too many pairs of shoes to count and still continue to buy more.

Favorite Quote:

“One way to make the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure”

- William Feather

Morning of Ironman

Making learning FUN!

Hiking the half dome at Yosemite National Park

Surfing in San Diego

Improving technique

I finished 140.6 miles!

Pittsburgh Tough Mudder

We ❤️ to swim!

Skiing at Brandywine

Finishing Ironman Mont-Tremblant!

My parents and brothers

Columbus marathon

I first learned to swim around the age of 5 where my mom put me in swim lessons run by my high school, near Sandusky, OH. Once I moved through all the progressions my mom noticed my love for swimming and had me join the schools swim team! From there I was a part of summer swim clubs and my junior high and high school swim team where my main events included the 200 IM and the 500 Free. During my high school years, I was a swim instructor for Margaretta high school where I taught kids aged 3-15 years old.

Once I started school at The University of Akron, I joined the triathlon club and fell in love with competing in different distance races! In the past four years I have completed many sprints, Olympics, 70.3’s and a 140.6 distance triathlon. I will graduate in the spring of 2019 with a degree in dietetics and nutrition where I hope to work with athletes to help them improve their performance through nutrition!

I love learning new things and sharing my knowledge with others which is why I decided to apply for a coaching position with Liquid Lifestyles. I believe it is important to feel comfortable and safe in the water and I am determined to help anyone I can to ensure they feel the same way and help them reach any goals big or small!

GET TO KNOW COACH JUSTIN

I wanted to let you know how happy we are with the lessons Justin has given. My daughter was a complete non-swimmer and the amount of growth she has made in such a short time is remarkable! He makes her feel so comfortable and encouraged. We are so pleased and would recommend Liquid Lifestyles to anyone looking for a swim program. 

— Jen S.

In just a few short months with Justin, our children have gained an enormous amount of confidence in the water, and developed the base they need to become proficient swimmers. He’s made each step in the process fun for them. They’re proud of their accomplishments and look forward to tackling the next challenge, rather than feeling intimidated and anxious. They love learning with Justin, and eagerly look forward to lessons each week.

BOOK A PRIVATE LESSON WITH COACH JOY AT . . .

Ten years ago, a serious car accident left me in a wheelchair for 3 ½ months but lead me back to the water. Always part fish, I learned to swim in a lake. I competed in age group programs and then in college while adding springboard diving - just for fun. It was a delight teaching my own kids to swim and dive and watching them compete in Cleveland triathlons as teams, but as a busy mom, I rarely got in the water.

Then came the accident. To learn to walk again my first steps were in a pool! On days when we didn’t have physical therapy, my daughter, also injured in the accident, and I would join the Arthritis Class at the local YMCA. Amazed by the progress and strength we gained, I set out to become that someone who could direct and encourage others who need water therapy.

Now as a personal trainer, I come alongside others in their rehabilitation journeys after injury or illness or surgery. I love how inspiring my clients are as they work hard in the warm water to regain and maintain their fitness. In addition to rehab clients, it’s a joy to be able to impart the love of swimming to kids and adults. From swimmers just starting out, to competitive athletes, their progress and “ah-ha” moments put a smile on my face. I am excited to join Liquid Lifestyles and see real progress by using tried and true techniques honed over the years by Leah and her team.

My three children are scattered across America, so my husband and I love to travel and visit them. We have a small farm with a pet goat and two cats, and a big garden. Besides being outdoors, there is nothing better than curling up by the fire and reading a good book while the snow swirls around us in the snowbelt.

Thank you for the privilege of coaching your child to love the water. Hope to see you soon!

GET TO KNOW COACH LEAH

ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES ME

favorite stroke

5 fun facts ABOUT ME

I LOVE food (most swimmers do!), but am not much of a cook. With that being said, I have a “hands-off” role as the co-owner of 3 local food trucks. @Smokin’ Rock n’ Roll

Home remodeling, interior design, landscaping and power tools are my creative escape. I enjoy both large-scale and small-scale DIY projects and my house is constantly under some sort of home renovation undertaking. Asking for a drill press or Dremel for Christmas would be not be out of the ordinary.

If I had an hour to do anything I would probably find something to organize or clean. Except laundry. With 3 young boys, laundry is my kryptonite. No matter what I do there’s always still a pile.

My first and last triathlon was when I was 14. Mermaids aren’t very good at land activities.

I held an Avon Lake HS record in the 200 IM for over 17 years with a time of 2:22.53.

FAVORITE QUOTE

“The grass is greener where you water it.”

- Neil Barringham

My second home

Backyard lessons, where it began...

My whole world!

Balance. Alignment. Comfort.

My biggest supporter

Go Browns!

"I'll do it myself!"

My 2 oldest boys

Orlando Cable Park

Magical moment with my youngest

My coach, my mentor

I ❤ MY JOB!

Growing up “fishlike”

Swimming will always be a cornerstone of who I am. At the age of seven I joined the local swim team and excelled in the freestyle and backstroke events. The reality of bringing home a medal at the YMCA State Championships that first year was enough to get me hooked. I dedicated myself to the sport for the next eleven years. As a result of quality coaching and exceptional skill-based training I experienced the excitement of competing in the Ohio high-school state championships, winning conference titles, and setting high-school records.

My most influential swimming experiences developed under the direction of two prominent Total Immersion head coaches, Gary Fahey and Gene Mills. Their extensive knowledge of the sport, cutting-edge technique training, and thought-provoking practices were the impetus in my desire to succeed and subsequently coach years later. Despite our less-than-ideal training conditions; a pool that’s water was murky at best, temperatures that fluctuated daily, and air that hung low and thick, our coaches taught us how to find inspiration in ourselves and turn weaknesses into competitive strengths. The “Last Resort,” as we called it, became our experimental lab for developing new techniques, drills and kinesthetic awareness. Most importantly, we were encouraged to work with our teammates daily. We tested, analyzed and creatively communicated with each other new ideas –constantly in pursuit of a competitive advantage. Never settling with “good enough” our team soon dominated the local swim scene.

Solving swimming mysteries one student at a time

At the age of fourteen I volunteered as an assistant coach on our local summer rec. team. Using the core principles of self-discipline, responsibility and patience we explored innovative solutions to solving some of swimming’s most puzzling questions. The following year I experimented with these non-traditional training techniques privately, offering lessons to children that required more specific, goal-oriented instruction. By the third summer my parent’s backyard pool had become the local hub for summer swimming lessons. Happy children and pleased parents spread the word quickly and it wasn’t long before I was averaging 45 hours per week of private lessons and loving every minute of it.

After graduating from Miami University in 2004 with a degree in architecture, I announced my profound desire and dedication to swimming and pursued a full-time career in coaching. Collaborating with Total Immersion’s founder, Terry Laughlin, I was invited to become a licensed instructor of their internationally renowned training techniques and assumed the position of Regional Director in the Midwest. From Seattle to Dallas from New York to San Juan, I’ve worked side-by side with some of the nation’s best coaches while exchanging ideas and continually learning unique methods for improvement.

Discover your hidden talents!

To have discovered a career path so early in life that I can embrace with enthusiasm each day is very fortunate. It’s exciting and rewarding to work with swimmers of all ages and ability levels; students from non-competitive backgrounds, multi-sport athletes, adults with water phobia and children just learning their ABC’s. I find the teacher-student symbiotic relationship enlightening; continually awakened and constantly intrigued by the various learning styles of individuals. There is never a shortage of new questions and coaching challenges, however, with well-guided swimming advice, a bit of intuition and a willingness to investigate together we will find uniquely creative solutions to solving YOUR swimming obstacles.

Your swimming goals are attainable! Believe in yourself and anything is possible!

GET TO KNOW COACH THOM

I would love the opportunity to share my passion with you.

That “CLICK”. That moment the light switches on and everything falls into place. All the repetition, all the drills, all of the encouragement and then the payoff. The moment a young beginner final “gets it “ finally puts the pieces together and swims on their own is a magical moment. For some the moment comes quickly and for others it takes a bit longer. One thing is certain. There is always that moment. I consider myself lucky that I get to be there, in the pool, to witness that magic over and over again. To be able to teach a lifelong skill to a child and know that skill will last a lifetime is a wonderful gift.

I remember my very first private lesson with Mrs. Olie Olson in Athens, Ohio. I was four years old and smitten with Olie and instantly hooked on swimming. I took lessons every summer for several years. By the time I was 17 I had become a lifeguard and also taught my first private swim lessons. I will never forget that first lesson. I remember every detail. I was scared to death. The lesson went very well and by the end I could not wait for the next one. I didn’t realize at the time that I had just found my niche.

After being severely injured in an automobile accident I was looking for something I could do part time to keep busy. I thought about my own children’s swimming lessons and reflected on how I knew I could do it better than their instructor. That was the answer, the “ah ha” moment. I would start teaching swimming again. It took awhile for me to get going but once I developed my method, business really took off. That was in Florida. I have since relocated twice. From Florida we moved to Wisconsin and from Wisconsin back to Ohio. All the while continuing to teach swimming. This is what I do. This is my passion.

I received my TI coach certification in 2014, it was the completion a goal I’ve had for many years. Upon researching the Total Immersion methods I realized that I had been using many of the same concepts in my own instruction. However, I never really sought to better my own swimming, I just swam laps, never consistently working to improve my own skills. With TI I have become a better, more efficient, more purposeful swimmer. Striving for self-improvement and learning new skills has certainly bettered me as an individual and reignited my passion for teaching.

GET TO KNOW COACH JOY

Thank you, Joy!

(Sidebar: Scarlett and I went to Lowe’s on Friday and, of course, all the Christmas decorations are up. She was SO excited to see your name EVERYWHERE and pushed hard to get my husband to buy a 6’ lighted JOY sign for our front yard. Unfortunately, it was $700.)

GET TO KNOW COACH SUMMER

ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES ME

FAVORITE STROKE

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

I am currently enrolled at LCCC with the Kent State Partnership to finish my

Bachelors in Business Management.

I enjoy camping and being outdoors as much as possible and would love to move

to Colorado one day.

On my down time I enjoy playing Mario Kart and Mario Party on the Nintendo

Switch with my friends.

I live with my boyfriend of 6 years and we have two cats that are brother and

sister named Rum and Coke.

My name is Summer but my birthday is in the spring!

FAVORITE QUOTE

“If you only knew all the love that I’ve found, it’s hard to keep my soul on the ground.”

- Sublime, Garden Grove

Hello! My name is Summer Stearns, I joined the Liquid Lifestyles crew in March of 2017 and I love it! Before I became a professional swim instructor I was once a kid learning to swim myself! In my early years I lived in Deerfield Beach of South Florida. My family and I lived just a fifteen minute bike ride from the beach and were around pools ALL THE TIME. At about 9 years old I joined my school's swim team because of my love for swimming. Turns out my dislike for competition at the time outweighed my love of swimming, so after one season I stuck to recreational swimming and splashing.

When I was about 10 years old my mom and dad decided they wanted to get out of the heat and move to North East Ohio. North Olmsted to be exact and that is where I spent my middle school and high school years. My sophomore year however, my mom decided I needed to get a job. As reluctant as I was, I took the American Red Cross Life guarding class at my local YMCA and received my certification. From there, I applied at my local recreation center and began life guarding at age 15. About a month in, my boss asked me if I was interested in teaching swim lessons as well. I said, "Yeah! That's got to be more interesting than sitting in a chair all day!" Thus my love for teaching swim lessons was created.

I taught lessons for 5 years at my local recreation center and decided I needed a change, so I applied for Liquid Lifestyles. I saw Liquid's Coaches working with kids while life guarding and was so impressed I needed to know more. Now working with the team, I know I was right to be impressed. These coaches are professional, experienced and completely passionate about helping children and adults learn one of life's most important skills, swimming. It is this fiercely important feeling about water safety skills that connected me to the rest of the team, and I hope to share that connection with you!

Thank you for your help! We had tried for several years to get Blake to learn to swim using both group and private lessons at our local community pool, without success. By word of mouth, we had heard of Liquid Lifestyles and their successful swimming programs. We convinced him to try one more time to try to learn to swim. This past summer was a complete turnaround, with him now having both the confidence and the desire to want to swim! We attribute this to your program and especially Coach Summer’s work with him. Blake developed both confidence and trust in Coach Summer and what she would ask of him to do. Again, thank you and Coach Summer!

— Bob D.

My son has been in your swim program for a year now and we love it! I taught swimming lessons for quite a few years and now I teach third grade, so I know all that goes into teaching young kids. Coach Summer is knowledgeable, stern without being mean, and she has fun with the kids while teaching them. For this reason I go out of my way to set up my Carter with Summer. 